Shillong, December 26: The frequent night road blockades called by the pro-ILP ngos has had a downward impart on the import of coal and limestone to the neighbouring Bangladesh from Meghalaya. Whereas 500 coal laden trucks used to carry coal every day earlier, now only 150 trucks are ferrying coal from Meghalaya to Bangladesh through the six routes from the state.
Meghalaya’s coal and limestone exporters source said ever since the night road blockades have been called by the pro-ILP ngos to demand implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state the exporters are suffering loss to the tune of Rs 25 lakh taka in a single day.
However the Meghalaya Minerals Resources department officials could not confirm the amount that the exporters are claiming to be losing in a day due to the drop in the exports of coal and limestone to Bangladesh.
Around 10 lakh tons of limestone and about 20 lakh tons of coal are exported to Bangladesh from Meghalaya annually.However because of the pro-ILP ngos agitations and the night road blockade, the export of these minerals has dropped down significantly.
According to reports, imports of coal and linestone have gone down by sixty percent during the last two months.
Coal and other products are exported to Bangladesh through six routes land customs stations in Tamabil, Bholaganj, Sutarkandi, Barchhara, Charagaon and Bagli.
As the coal is imported from different districts of the state, the movement of trucks gets affected during bandhs and blockades and therefore affecting the export of both these minerals to Bangladesh.
In an effort to find a solution to the ILP imbroglio, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma has invited the pro -ILP ngos for discussion on January 15 to find the best suitable mechanism to check influx. -By Our Reporter
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